Attention Bears defense: It’s OK to tackle a Saint

The media horde spotted the Bears’ defensive coordinator near the sideline of the practice field at Halas Hall on Wednesday and cornered him within seconds.

All around him, cameras. All around him, microphones.

All around him, questions.

“You guys want to talk about tackling?” Tucker said with a half-smile, half-grimace.

Yes.

Well, no.

We guys (and gals) wanted to talk about the absence of tackling.

The Bears will play the New Orleans Saints this weekend, and you’ll hear all about the chess match between Marc Trestman’s complex offense and Rob Ryan’s complex defense. You’ll hear all about the Saints’ super-thanks-for-asking offense and the Bears’ sneaky counter attacks on defense.

But for the most important key to unlocking Sunday’s game, let’s get back to the basics.

Blocking. Tackling.

The Bears have to do both. Otherwise, they’ll be 3-2 with another game coming in four short days.

For evidence, see the Debacle in Detroit from Week 4. The Bears’ defense played its best version of zero-hand touch, allowing Lions running back Reggie Bush to frolic across the turf of Ford Field for 173 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown.

The Bears surrendered 40 points – 40! – and deservedly lost the game despite a late rally.

“If we just tackle,” Bears safety Chris Conte said Wednesday, “I think that game is a different game.”